A system for adjusting a load on a tethered aircraft is disclosed. The aircraft is tethered to a payload. The system determines a new position for the tethered aircraft in the event that due to environmental effects, e.g., the aircraft is flying upwind or downwind, the load experienced by the tethered aircraft is not optimal.

To control an engine shutdown in an aircraft, a control system includes a fuel supply shut-off member, a control member with a set of switches, a first switch on an electrical power supply link of the fuel supply shut-off member and second switches connected to avionics of the aircraft, the set of switches switching position on an engine shutdown command. An engine shutdown confirmation unit includes a third switch on the electrical power supply link, the third switch in open position by default. The engine shutdown confirmation unit includes electronic circuitry configured to switch the third switch over to closed position when a predefined quantity Q of switches of the control member switches position within a sliding window of predefined duration and, otherwise, keeps the third switch in open position. Thus, it is ensured that the engine shutdown is intentional.

To control an engine shutdown in an aircraft, a control system includes a fuel supply shut-off member, a control member with a set of switches, a first switch on an electrical power supply link of the fuel supply shut-off member and second switches connected to avionics of the aircraft, the set of switches switching position on an engine shutdown command. An engine shutdown confirmation unit includes a third switch on the electrical power supply link, the third switch in open position by default. The engine shutdown confirmation unit includes electronic circuitry configured to switch the third switch over to closed position when a predefined quantity Q of switches of the control member switches position within a sliding window of predefined duration and, otherwise, keeps the third switch in open position. Thus, it is ensured that the engine shutdown is intentional.

A hybrid propulsion update system includes a controller in signal communication with a replaceable battery. The controller includes a tuning parameters storage unit configured to store at least one tuning parameter corresponding to the replaceable battery. The controller is configured to execute at least one optimization algorithm that utilizes the tuning parameters to control operation of the hybrid electric aircraft according to a first performance. The tuning parameters storage unit is configured to receive at least one updated tuning parameter from a controller updating device. The controller executes the at least one optimization algorithm that utilizes the at least one updated tuning parameter such that the hybrid electric aircraft operates according to a second performance that improves upon the first performance.

A hybrid propulsion update system includes a controller in signal communication with a replaceable battery. The controller includes a tuning parameters storage unit configured to store at least one tuning parameter corresponding to the replaceable battery. The controller is configured to execute at least one optimization algorithm that utilizes the tuning parameters to control operation of the hybrid electric aircraft according to a first performance. The tuning parameters storage unit is configured to receive at least one updated tuning parameter from a controller updating device. The controller executes the at least one optimization algorithm that utilizes the at least one updated tuning parameter such that the hybrid electric aircraft operates according to a second performance that improves upon the first performance.

An system (10) for an aircraft (1) including a controller (100) configured to receive at least one signal during a take-off procedure of the aircraft. The signal includes information representative of at least one parameter of the aircraft. The controller is configured to determine whether a current or future aircraft climb rate associated with the take-off procedure meets a criterion, on the basis of the at least one signal. The controller is configured to determine at least one remedial action to be taken, such as performance of at least a portion of a procedure to retract a landing gear of the aircraft, when the controller determines that the aircraft climb rate does not meet the criterion.

An system (10) for an aircraft (1) including a controller (100) configured to receive at least one signal during a take-off procedure of the aircraft. The signal includes information representative of at least one parameter of the aircraft. The controller is configured to determine whether a current or future aircraft climb rate associated with the take-off procedure meets a criterion, on the basis of the at least one signal. The controller is configured to determine at least one remedial action to be taken, such as performance of at least a portion of a procedure to retract a landing gear of the aircraft, when the controller determines that the aircraft climb rate does not meet the criterion.

Drive system for an aircraft, including: a propeller; electric motor; transmission system for transmitting positive torque from the motor to drive the propeller and negative torque from the propeller in windmill braking state to drive the motor; interface for inputting an input; first unit for controlling torque acting on the motor; second unit for detecting rotational speed of the motor; selection unit to select an active mode from propulsion mode and recovery mode, wherein the motor generates recovery energy in the recovery mode; and management system to control energy flow in an electrical system of the aircraft, the electrical system including the motor, is controlled according to the active mode; wherein the selection unit is configured to select the active mode according to the input, rotational speed, and predefined envelope, wherein the envelope indicates a maximum positive torque and minimum negative torque that depends on the rotational speed.

Drive system for an aircraft, including: a propeller; electric motor; transmission system for transmitting positive torque from the motor to drive the propeller and negative torque from the propeller in windmill braking state to drive the motor; interface for inputting an input; first unit for controlling torque acting on the motor; second unit for detecting rotational speed of the motor; selection unit to select an active mode from propulsion mode and recovery mode, wherein the motor generates recovery energy in the recovery mode; and management system to control energy flow in an electrical system of the aircraft, the electrical system including the motor, is controlled according to the active mode; wherein the selection unit is configured to select the active mode according to the input, rotational speed, and predefined envelope, wherein the envelope indicates a maximum positive torque and minimum negative torque that depends on the rotational speed.

There is provided a method and a system for detecting and mitigating a propeller failure condition. An actual value of a rotational speed of the propeller and/or of a pitch angle of blades of the propeller is obtained. In response to determining that the speed is below a reference rotational speed for the propeller and/or determining that the pitch angle is above a pitch angle threshold, an actuator operatively connected to the blades is commanded to decrease the pitch angle to increase the speed towards the reference speed. After commanding of the actuator to decrease the pitch angle, a subsequent value of the speed and/or a subsequent value of the pitch angle is obtained. The actuator is commanded to hold the pitch angle in response to determining that the speed has failed to increase towards the reference speed and/or determining that the pitch angle has failed to decrease.